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In a real emergency, when the chips are really down, AC and fridges don't really matter. I did the math on consumption to run a compact fluorescent bulb for 4 hours a day, run a small radio for 4 hours a day, and charge a cell phone for 2 hours a day, and basically came up with this unit. It was hot, sticky and sweaty, but we had a light, a radio, and powered our cell phones. LONG TERM TEST RESULTSI have had the unit for 5 years now, and it still works fine.
In this profile, this will keep you lit and in touch with the outside world for about 4-5 days. Live in DC now, and the power went out the winter of 2008. PURCHASING DECISIONI bought and tested this unit twice on that load, and it worked both times. Also used it many times camping to power some Christmas lights around the camp. And that is amazing.
FOR FOUR DAYS. For most people, isn't that what we really need. Holds the charge, and I still periodically test it under that load. I bought one for all of my family members as Christmas presents. Charged the cell phone during the next day. Cheers
That night was candles only, no radio, and had to run my car to charge my cell phone. If you are considering what your needs are, there are so many things this unit is not designed for. It first night there was miserable. I mean really, truly, and honestly need.2) One constant light source, one radio, and power for cell phone is all you really and honestly truly need for a day or so. 1 light, a small radio, charged our cell phones, and we felt so much better.
Pulled the unit out, plugged in my lamp and radio (you need a splitter for this), and was good to go. Anything much more, and you are looking at a gas generator. For the basics, when the chips are truly down, this little dude is really stunning.Hope this is helpful in your decision. That was fun. The next day after taking a bath in his pool, I looked at his small sailboat, and said, "Um, dad, don't you have an inverter on that." We pulled it out the inverter and the battery, and that night was so different. And that made all the difference in the world.Later, I really thought the experience through, and it's true. CONCLUSION1) To run one or two compact fluorescent bulbs, a small radio, and charge cell phones for a couple of days, this is an extraordinally wise investment in mental health during an emergency. I knew the power would be on in a day or so, so I wasn't that worried.
I HIGHLY recommend this for the true basics, and peace of mind in an emergency. BACKGROUNDI got to my dad's place in South Florida after Hurricane Charley ripped through in 2004 and beat all the infrastructure to death. What you need is security that the world hasn't collapsed. When it did, I was prepared.
I have started cars, inflated tires & toys, relied on the light, and powered all sorts of SMALL electrical devices. I would highly recommend this to anyone. I bought my Powerpack Plus three years ago and have never had a problem with it. For those folks who are trying to power appliances like TVs or power tools - if you seriously want to do that you need a generator, which this is not.
For me.It can be the difference between life and death. I bought the Xantrex Power Pack 300 plus over a year ago. This won't be a problem for him anymore. I use a C-PAP machine for my sleep abnea. When the power goes out I can get back to sleep with confidence. When the power goes out I hook it up to my C-PA.I am buying my second one for my brother as during the last power outage in Clinton MD he was without his C-PAP for over 8 hours.
I wanted something for the car on long trips just in case I have a flat tire, need emergency lighting, and so on. I used it to keep my sump pump going until I got my gas powered generator going.
It truely is a great little power pack. Once the generator was running I let it cool and rest before I used it as a flashlight.
It really isn't for this (the surge of a sump pump could fry the battery) but I monitored it so it wouldn't over heat and I only used it for about 15 minutes, turning it off when the alarm went on. I even connected it to my computer for about 1/2 hour on the same night to get the weather forcast.
I bought POWER PACK several years back. Well, not only have I pumped up a few tires but it saved my basement.
It was also great for powering a radio and portable TV but its not for major eclectrical devices.
My wife tried to use her hair dryer and it worked for a few minutes, but this is more for lights, laptops, tv, radio, etc. They are not going to power your fridge or coffee maker. Also you might want to keep one in a car or in the garage. Really great for back up in the car or at your home. It is nice to have these around so when we lose power we can still power the lights for hours on end. I think it is worth having at least 2-3 of these in each house.
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